CNN
—
Four lecturers from an Iowa university visiting a partner university were wounded in a park in northeastern China on Monday in what Iowa state leaders described as a stabbing incident.
The instructors, from Cornell University in Mount Vernon, Iowa, were in a public park with faculty from partner schools when they were injured in a “serious accident,” Cornell President Jonathan Brand said in a statement to university officials.
“We have been in contact with all four instructors and are supporting them during this time,” Brand said.
A State Department spokesman said the department was aware of reports of a stabbing incident in China and was monitoring the situation.
Jen Visser, a spokeswoman for the school, confirmed the incident occurred in Jilin city and that the affiliated school is Beihua University.
Provided by: Cornell University
Cornell University campus in Mount Vernon, Iowa
The school said no students were participating in the program.
Iowa Congressman Ashley HinsonThe councillor who represents the district in which the university is located said in X’s post that four university staff members had been “brutally stabbed”.
“My team has been in contact with Cornell University and we will do everything in our power to bring Iowans home safely,” Hinson said. “Please join me in praying for their health and safety.”
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds said, “I have been in contact with Iowa’s federal delegation and the Department of State following this horrific attack. I ask for your prayers for the victim’s full recovery and safe return, and for the safety of his family back home.”
Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst also said her team is “closely monitoring reports that a Cornell University staff member at Mount Vernon was stabbed in China.”
“We are in contact with the university and the State Department and stand ready to provide further support to Iowans. We wish everyone a speedy recovery,” she said. X.
